Though, it is not yet available to the public, Google Chrome CR-48 Notebook is now a topic of discussion across the globe. So, what all are the features which attract people is the question here. I think all are agog to know, what is that ‘fresh’ Google can offer? So, we can check it out. Google CR-48 notebook came with nine apps already installed: a ‘getting started’ tour of the notebook; two games, Entanglement and Poppit; links to Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, Google Talk and the Chrome Web Store; and a rudimentary note-taking app called Scratchpad. You can type out short notes in Scratchpad on the Google CR-48 and the app will automatically store them locally and, in theory, sync them to your Google Docs account if you wish.

The Google CR-48 takes only about 15 seconds to go from off to the login screen. And once you login, you’re ready to work in only a few seconds more. Unlike Windows or Mac systems that have to load multiple pieces of software once you login, a Chrome OS system has only one program to load: the Chrome browser. The processor is a 166-GHz, single-core Intel (INTC) Atom N455 that gets some help from Intel’s 200-MHz Pineview graphics chip and 2GB of RAM. Expansion memory is handled by a SD card slot.

There is also one USB port, one VGA out and a headphone jack. Add to that an integrated Webcam, and Bluetooth 2.1. There are no function keys. Instead, where the function keys usually sit on a Windows-based PC-style keyboard, there are keys that help you navigate Chrome OS’s Web browser (i.e. forward, back, full-screen, reload), brightness keys for the LCD screen and volume/mute keys for the sound.

Most notably, there is no Caps Lock key. Instead, Google has a “search” key that merely opens up a blank tab or your default home page (if you have that set). Even the letter labels on the keys are in lowercase.

When it comes to the question of Wi-Fi, the computer will automatically try to find the strongest Wi-Fi signal and connect to it. Here you can also activate and log into Verizon’s nationwide 3G network. Verizon has partnered with Google to provide 100MB of free data bandwidth per month, though it will not save your purpose.

When it comes to the pros and cons of CR-48, a mixed reaction is seen everywhere. Anyway, through this CR-48, we can envisage a new world from Google. A machine, which is completely tied to your Google Gmail account, or any other Google-related service for which you have an account, such as Google Voice, Picasa, or any Google app that requires registration. How about that?

Via the street